1. TOURISM DESTINATION
DEVELOPMENT IN GHANA
BY: OTOO FELIX

2. CONTENT
Introduction
Overview of Tourism Destination In Ghana
Structure of Tourism Industry in Ghana
SWOT Analysis of Tourism Destination
How The Tourism Destination Can Be Developed
Statistics and Figures
Impact of Tourism On Ghana As a Tourism Destination
Conclusion

3. INTRODUCTION
The Republic of Ghana is a country located in the Western part of Africa, bordered by
the Atlantic Ocean to the south, Togo to the east, Burkina Faso to the north and La Cote
d’Ivoire to the west.
Ghana is one of the main tourism destinations
in Africa and the world as a whole. It was
named as the 4th place to visit in 2013 by the
New York Times after Brazil, France and
Nicaragua.
Ghana is known for it rich historic
culture, castles, forts, parks, historical
monuments, cities, villages, man-made lakes
etc…….

4. OVERVIEW OF TOURISM DESTINATIONS IN GHANA

5. UPPER WEST REGION
The Upper West Region which covers about 3% of Ghana’s total land area has a
population of about 573,873 people. It has 5 administrative districts namely Jirapa-
Lambusi, Lawra, Nadawoli, Sissala and Wa. It’s the gateway to Ghana from Burkina
Faso. It attractions include:
 Gbollu Defence Wall
It was part of the slave route and its 70
km north of Wa. It was built in the 19th
century to serve as defence against the
slavers.
Mushroom Rock
Which is a natural rock which has the
shape of a mushroom. It is quiet unique
and attracts a lot of tourists.

6. Wa Naa’s Palace
The 19th century palace with its distinct
architecture was the official residence of the
Wa Naa, the traditional chief of the Walas.
George Ekem Ferguson’s Tomb
He was a ghanaian colonial agent who was
instrumental in convincing chiefs to sign treaties
of friendship with the British. He was later killed
in 1897 by slave raiders, but his tomb is
preserved in Wa. Most tourist who visit his tomb
are African studies student who are engaged in
research about him.

7. UPPER EAST REGION
This region covers about 7.8% of Ghana’s land mass. An exciting introduction to
Ghana, much of the landscape is broad savannah grassland, dotted with strange-
loooking baobab trees. Destinations include:
 Bolga Craft Market
A splendid place to meet traders from all over the
region and bargain for baskets ware, leather
goods and traditional clothing all woven by hand.
Paga Crocodile Pond

8. Tongo Rocks
This creates ghostly whistling sounds especially during harmattan.
Paga Slave Village

9. NORTHERN REGION
It has 13 districts. Its geographical features are mostly low lying except in the north
eastern corner with the Gambaga escarpment . The land is drained by tributaries of the
Volta Lake, River Oti, Black Volta and White Volta. Tourism destinations in this region
includes:
Mole National Park

10. Larabanga Mosque
Salaga Slave Wells

11. BRONG AHAFO REGION
Brong Ahafo is a region with multiplicity of ethnic groups, physical features, cultural
practices that dates back into antiquity, tourist attractions opportunities for
investment, an open and warm-hearted people ready to welcome you and make your
stay a memorable one. Tourism destinations includes:
Kintampo Falls

12. Fuller Falls
Boabeng Fiema Monkey Sanctuary

13. VOLTA REGION
The most easterly region of Ghana bordering on Togo. The rolling hills and valleys, rocky
outcrops overlooking Lake Volta and lagoons, rivers and waterfall make for one of
natures most attractive gift to Ghana.
Wili Water Falls

14. Ancestral Cave of Likpe
Volta Lake

15. ASHANTI REGION
The Ashanti Region is the cultural heartbeat of Ghana. Land of Golden Stool expressed
in the language, passage rites, festivals, cuisine and ordinary day-to-day activities.
Tourism attractions in this area includes:
Golden Stool Okomfo Anokye’s Sword

16. Manhyia Palace
Bonwire Kente Village

17. EASTERN REGION
Easter Region has a rich blend of dramatic landscapes, historical relic and traditional
cultures. It has in it environs Ghana’s only commercial diamond mine at Akwatia,while
the birthplace of our great cocoa industry can also be located. Attractions includes:
Adome Bridge Aburi Gardens

18. Boti Falls Akaah Falls
Begoro Falls

19. CENTRAL REGION
Was the former government centre of Ghana and was the seat of the British colonial
administration. Famous for its ancient forts and castles built by early Europeans. Cape
Coast has been identified as a World Heritage City by the World Heritage Organisation
under UNESCO. Notable attractions includes:
Cape Coast Castle

20. Elmina Castle Beachfront Tills
Kakum National Park

21. GREATER ACCRA REGION
Greater Accra is the gateway to Ghan and home to our vibrant Capital City, is one of the
most exciting and distinctive regions. Although, the smallest, it is the most densely
populated, containing the two great metropolitan areas of Accra and Tema.
Attractive tourism destinations includes:
National Theatre Presidential Palace

22. Kwame Nkrumah Mausoleum
Osu Castle

23. WESTERN REGION
Western Region is known for it collection of forts, tropical jungles, numerous
mines, picturesque villages, vivacious festivals and friendly people. The regions water
villages on stilts are amazing to experience.
Notable attractions include:
Fort Dicove Fort Sebastian

24. Nzulezu Village
Ankasa Nature Reserve

25. STRUCTURE OF TOURISM INDUSTRY IN GHANA

27.  TOUR OPERATORS
 A.A. Maikanoo Travel & Tours Johnson Travel & Tours
ABSCO Travel & Tours Johkad Travel & Tours
Aero Mondo Travel & Tours M & J Travel & Tours
African Origin Travel & Tours Maxy Travel & Tours
Belhans Travel & Tours Prestige Travel & Tours
Babahub Travel Mall Prostos Travel & Tours
Celex Travel & Tours Quasam Travel & Tours
Cross-Cultural Travel & Tours Reality Vacation Innovation
Cox & Kings Travel & Tours Royal Derby Tours
De Hilda Travel & Tours Satguru Travel & Tours
Doscar travel & Tours Scorpion Travel & Tours
Deradec Executive Travel & Tours Tanga Tours
First New Age Travel & Tours The Travelex
H & M Travel & Tours Westgate Tours
Heritage Consult Travel & Tours White Oak T & T
Imani Travel Agency

28. HOSPITALITY SECTOR
A & T Hotel  Busia Beach Resort
Aakway Hotel Lake Bosomtwe Paradise Resort
B & Q Resort Madison Square Gardens
Eastland Hotels Maggie Hotel & Restaurants
Ellking Hotel Oak Plaza
Emperor Suites Queens Hotel
Cape Coast Hotel Takoradi Beach Hotel
Holiday Inn
Devon Hotel
Hampton Court Hotel
Hao Xin Hotel & Restaurant
Janus Apartments
Jaria Hotel
Labadi Beach Hotel & Restaurants
La Palm Beach Hotel & Restaurants

29. TRANSPORT SECTOR
Private Transport eg. Public Transport eg. Air Transport eg.
Car rentals Public buses airplanes
Water Transport
Eg. Canoe, ships
ANCILLIARY SERVICES
Banking Services eg. Tour Guide services, Security
ECOBANK, Barclays Services
bank, CitiGroup, UT Bank etc

30. SWOT ANALYSIS OF TOURISM DESTINATION
Strenghts of Ghana as Tourism Destination
Strong culture and heritage tourism products
Nature and ecotourism
Safe and secure
Friendly people
Anglophone country
Well connected flight network
Developing communication
Political stability
Ghana’s Weakness as a Tourism Destination
 Lack of active promotion of Ghana as a tourist destination
Poor online strategy
No or limited international information offices
Poor infrastructure
High prices relative to quality
Lack of service and professional tourism orientation

31.  Opportunites Facing Ghana as a Tourism Destination
Increasing interest on the part of African-Americans in their heritage
Tourist potential from West African neighbors like Nigeria
 Attractive to business travellers due to location and safety ie. Potential market
Threats Facing Ghana as a Tourism Destination
Increasing competition from other African countries
High cost of travel to Ghana
Lack of appreciation of tourism’s importance by government and society alike
Increasing worldwide security concerns about overseas travel
Negative associations with qualities generally associated with Africa eg. Famine,
poverty and instability.

32. HOW THE TOURISM DESTINATION CAN DEVELOPED
 Easy accessibility to tourism site
Attendance at International Exhibitions
Development of the transportation sector eg. National and regional airports
Educating the local human resources
Exploitation of technology
Improved marketing
Improved quality and pricing of hotels
Improved tourist attractions
Use of Guerrilla promotional methods
Simpler and cheap visa regime

33. Number Of Tourist Arrivals In Ghana

34. International Tourism Receipts In Ghana

35. IMPACT OF TOURISM ON GHANA AS A TOURISM DESTINATION
Economic Effect – Positive
Tourism creates jobs, both through direct employment within the tourism
industry and indirectly in sectors such as retail and transportation. When these
people spend their wages on goods and services, it leads to what is known as
the "multiplier effect," creating more jobs. The tourism industry also provides
opportunities for small-scale business enterprises, which is especially important
in rural communities, and generates extra tax revenues, such as airport and
hotel taxes, which can be used for schools, housing and hospitals.
Economic Effect – Negative
Successful tourism relies on establishing a basic infrastructure, such as
roads, visitor centers and hotels. The cost of this usually falls on the
government, so it has to come out of tax revenues. Jobs created by
tourism are often seasonal and poorly paid, yet tourism can push up
local property prices and the cost of goods and services. Money
generated by tourism does not always benefit the local community, as
some of it leaks out to huge international companies, such as hotel
chains

36. Social Effect – Positive
The improvements to infrastructure and new leisure amenities that result from
tourism also benefit the local community. Tourism encourages the preservation of
traditional customs, handicrafts and festivals that might otherwise have been
allowed to wane, and it creates civic pride. Interchanges between hosts and guests
create a better cultural understanding and can also help raise global awareness of
issues such as poverty and human rights abuses.
Social Effect – Negative
Visitor behavior can have a detrimental effect on the quality of life of the host
community. For example, crowding and congestion, drugs and alcohol
problems, prostitution and increased crime levels can occur. Tourism can even
infringe on human rights, with locals being displaced from their land to make
way for new hotels or barred from beaches. Interaction with tourists can also
lead to an erosion of traditional cultures and values.

37. Environmental Effect – Positive
Tourism -- particularly nature and ecotourism -- helps promote conservation of
wildlife and natural resources such as rain forests, as these are now regarded as
tourism assets. It also helps generate funding for maintaining animal preserves
and marine parks through entrance charges and guide fees. By creating
alternative sources of employment, tourism reduces problems such as over-
fishing and deforestation in developing nations.
Environmental Effect – Negative
Tourism poses a threat to a region's natural and cultural resources, such as
water supply, beaches, coral reefs and heritage sites, through overuse. It also
causes increased pollution through traffic emissions, littering, increased
sewage production and noise

38. Conclusion:
The tourism industry in Ghana has contributed significantly to the country’s
economy particularly in recent times as the sector continues to demonstrate
its potential as a key driver of growth. Its arguably the third largest exchange
earner in the country and the fastest growing sector in the Ghanaian economy.
Its development has been highlighted by interest groups especially groups
affiliated to the tourism industry and the media, for more government and
public attention. It is hoped that, this sector of the economy will be developed
well to reach its maximum capacity which will create good job opportunities
for the citizens of this country.